I'm getting back into model railroading having had an HO layout in my more formative years.
I lived for many years in the UK and I love the old steam trains there like The Flying Dutchman, etc. Now that I am back in the US and I have a space to build a layout, albeit a small space, hence the decision to go with N Scale. I am a huge Sherlock Homes and Charles Dickens fan, thus the reason for the era I have in mind
My problem is that finding era appropriate British steam engines, rolling stock, and buildings (without having to import everything from 'Old Blighty'). Also I am aware that there is a difference between the US and UK N Scale so I want to know if I do end up getting stuff from both sides of the pond, will it be unsightly to mix the two in one layout?
So (as The Rolling Stones put it) what can a poor boy do? Any and all advice is welcome.
Ta very much
Oh... and I realized that I meant Flying Scotsman, not Flying Dutchman... wrong kind of transport. D'oh!
Hi Whollyodd
I train set'd in "N for quite a while bought what I liked regardless of origin or model.
N gauge is a rare beast indeed 1:150 Jap 1:160 US & Euro and 1:148 UK N scale will mix and match quite well as far as size and proportions go.
If you scratch build any loco bodies Try and find a suitable Japanese mechanism to put in it
You need reference material and more reference material.
Peco make wood framed wagons RTR which are appropriate
Loco kits are available and, some RTR UK loco's can get away with no more than a re paint.
Kestral make suitable buildings for the terraces not the best plastic kits in the world but painted up they don't look to bad.
For those its the massed effect you want throw in a German 1/2 timbered shop for YE OLDE CURIOSITY SHOPE and your in business.
Langley miniatures do suitable figures you will need to paint them
I am not sure which Japanese brand it is does the first Japanese train in "N" but very appropriate since its a Sharpe Stuart Loco and the coaches are very English in there design.
For something different Stevenson's rocket is available, if an early US 4-2-0 is available in N it may be of use as well but like the Rocket would be a one of
You are I would think going to have to do some scratch building and bashing to get what you want.
OR alternative (B) Go to OO scale where it would be easier to do.
regards John
WhollyOdd Oh... and I realized that I meant Flying Scotsman, not Flying Dutchman... wrong kind of transport. D'oh!
BUZZZZZZ!!!!!! FAIL
The Flying Dutchman was I believe a Dean single 4-2-2 very appropriate to the Victorian era.
Regardless of designer or railway they belonged to the singles where very elegant machines.
In there day the top flight express passenger engines, there was even a single named the Flying Scotsman
A PITA to get to haul 4 coaches in model form which was about right for them
PS Emily is available in "N" as are her coaches Victorian era Appropriate Thomas any one??
Well most of your stuff will come from europe. European makes sell stuff to places like walthers and shops in the us. One thing you should know is that most european made stuff is more expencive than some of the other manufactures. Also the ho market is alot bigger than the n acale market for european stuff. So you will find less stuff for n scale. One place i would start looking to get a feel of the market is a site called euo rail hobbies. They are a canadian company that specializes in importing european rail stuff to North America.
Also US prototype models do not normally run with Eurpean prototype models because of the way the couplers are made. Us and euope have different couplers styles and most models can use one or the other.
Modeling the late Victorian era in N scale (I should better say 2mm scale) is certainly a challenge. Due to the small size of the locos, there is not much choice, other than maybe Dapol´s nice looking model of the 0-6-0T "Terrier".
For a rather comprehensive list of suppliers, take a look at the following:
ukmodelshops.co.uk
justinjhnsn3 Also US prototype models do not normally run with Eurpean prototype models because of the way the couplers are made. Us and euope have different couplers styles and most models can use one or the other.
Everything in N is available with the Rapido style coupling I never had any coupling issues while in "N"
I wasn't until I went back to UK OO scale two non compatible styles of coupling.
Then US HO that couplings became a real problem, where some was Euro couplings, some horn hooks,
Kadees, some What is that thing, I even found some US with Tri-ang!! style couplers.
I have a plan for Ribblehead and the Ribblehead Viaduct in N scale. I just uploaded the plan so it should show up sometime tomorrow. This plan I drew a year ago, and it was designed for a 30" deep shelf, so it would be better deepened and the limiting radius end curves widened.
S&S
Modeling the Pennsy and loving it!
Thanks... I will definitely look for your layout.
Thanks for that... I am game for scratch building to get the look I want, but I think I will need to trial and error a bit before my hands can build anything my eye will be happy with.
As for reference material, I am getting more and more (she who must be obeyed thinks that UPS should set up a drop box at my house for the amount of books I am getting)
As I am limited in space HO/OO are not in the cards... We are looking at a 4x8 foot layout (maybe slightly larger) and I want to pack as much in as I can without making it look too crowded.
I've gotten my share of Thomas comments from friends... I will look up Emily for sure. I have been focusing so much on the engine that rolling stock has been a secondary concern...
Thank you for the Euro Rail Hobbies suggestion! That had not hit my radar as yet. Looks like a target rich environment for me (although it is a tad pricey, but I have never claimed to be a cheap date).
As for couplers, I figure that I will end up with a car from here an engine from there and a rail cleaner from that other place, so I am prepared to swap out couplers so everybody is simpatico with each other.
Ahhh... that's the ticket. It looks like good hunting ahead with that page! Thanks!
Here's the plan I drew a few years ago. I based it on the Settle-Carlisle line in Train Simulator (their representation is very accurate). I added some details and labels to the original plan and moved a few trees. It represents the line between mileposts 247.6 and 249 (approximate), and includes the tracks at Ribblehead and the Ribblehead Viaduct..
My plan includes the locations of signals on the prototype, and remember that train ran on the LEFT side of the main line, otherwise the signal and track arrangement seems odd.
This layout was designed to be all flat with the terrain rising and falling around the track. The minimum radius is 9", and the minimum turnout is a Peco Small Radius. If you have the space, I'd suggest widening the end curves to 12" or more - the tight end curves are the main failing of this plan.
The tracks North of Ribblehead can be used as staging for four trains if the layout is built at this size. If there is room available, a larger hidden staging yard with a larger train capacity would be preferable, and would also free up the main lines.
The layout is divided by a low ridge with only a few trees, and the tracks north of Ribblehead really do run past two interlocking towers. I also included the only (I think) linside cabinet in this area..
All the bridges on the layout would be of the stone arch type. I think both road bridges were triple arch design, though there may not be room for it in the area available on the plan. The area on the left side of the plan and the track North of Ribblehead are all in a cut.
This plan can handle 3.5 foot trains, or trains consisting of an engine and 5-6 passenger cars. I usually also include how long the freight trains can be, but I forget how long "wagons" are.
If this doesn't fit your space well, the main elements of the plan can easily be separated and rearranged to make better use of the space. The Model Railroad Planning a couple years back included an article on cutting up (literally) and rearranging layout plans.
A layout this size would be great for super-detailing. It would be really neat to have working semaphore signals in N scale! This layout or one similar to it would also greatly benefit from being built near eye level to provide a more realistic viewpoint and get a better appreciation for the terrain.
John BusbyEverything in N is available with the Rapido style coupling
Not correct in US outline -- at least, not for many years. Micro-Trains compatible couplers are typical on anything designed and built in the last ten years or so -- since the original patents expired. Some other cars are equipped with dummy knuckle couplers.
Some older gear N gear still comes with Arnold-Rapidos, but the statement you made is certainly not accurate since about the turn of the century.
Layout Design GalleryLayout Design Special Interest Group
Schuylkill and Susquehanna Here's the plan I drew a few years ago....
Here's the plan I drew a few years ago....
That is nice... And could be adapted into my layout. I will be at 4x8 so it would need a bit of foreshortening, but there will be extra depth to add some extras. One part of my plan is to include a stretch of canal with towpath that the rail will cross by bridge; that could be just the ticket in the back.
Welcome Fellow Time Traveler!
Modeling the Victorian era can be a challenge but also has its unique rewards.
Scratch building locomotives is not so hard if you use diesel or trolley car mechanisms inside the tenders. Inside cylinder British engines are dead easy. (http://msuweb.montclair.edu/~olsenk/a&h.html)
While male figures are easy to back-date with a few dabs of paint, modeling women's long dresses requires some additional work. I encase the legs in putty or wrap them in paper that has been impregnated with epoxy. Remember that everyday clothes were in subdued colors and earth tones. Some manufacturers produce "Wild West" figures that appear to be correct for the period. You may want to inspect them carefully some of these appear to be based on movie costumes as opposed to actual period dress.
I think that British homes had indoor plumbing earlier than American homes so you may not need to sprinkle outhouses around the layout. Remeber that every house needed its own coal storage for the wet and dreary English climate.
Have Fun,
Kevin Olsen
Atlantic and Hibernia RR
If you do buy RTR UK outline stuff it may need relettering as the 1923 railway grouping had not happened so the London Midland Scottish (LMS),London North Eastern Railway (LNER)and Southern Railways(SR) did not exist The Great Western Did although in a smaller form
Also on the outhouse front some house usually in working class inner city areas Did have outhouses in the back garden of the terraced houses often with the coal bunker next to it
Apologies in advance for any use of UK RailRoad Terms
"there is the wrong way the Right way and then there is Great western railway Way"